Sadly I reckon that the vast majority of people who do this sort of idiotic thing are the type are least likely to read or watch news coverage.
Furthermore, they are type who are most likely just to see their harsh sentence as being down to those nasty B*stards in Blue who caught them, and the miserable old Goat in a silly old-fashioned wig who sentenced them. Most of these slubberdegullions are unlikely ever to be made aware of the danger that their idiocy can cause.
Although my gut reaction is severe chastisement and punishment, I think some form of "enforced awareness" is probably better and cheaper than punishment, but banning or licencing the sale of laser torches is probably the best long-term solution.